The mission to end the siege is thought to have been one of the most heavily decorated actions in Britain’s Afghan campaign, with several gallantry awards given to human participants.

Eight-year-old Mali has now been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for his role, joining only 68 other animals ever to receive the decoration.

Jan McLoughlin, director general of the veterinary charity, said: “Despite sustaining quite horrendous injuries, he absolutely stayed by his handler’s side and forged forward with them to help them carry out their duty. It’s that gallantry and devotion to duty that we are recognising.”

A wounded Mali being carried by his SBS handler in the aftermath of the fightingCredit:
Matthew Fearn

SBS operators and their Afghan counterparts spent hours fighting to clear the block after it was stormed in April 2012.

The Dickin Medal was instituted by the PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin, in 1943. It is the highest award any animal in the world can achieve while serving in military conflict. Previous recipients include 32 pigeons, 31 dogs, 4 horses and 1 cat.